Judge finds city man not competent in murder case

A Syracuse man accused of beating to death his elderly grandmother has been found "not competent" to proceed in court.

Ronnez J. Sanders, 30, of 477 James St., is facing a charge of second-degree murder, accused of intentionally killing 79-year-old Mildred Moore July 22 by striking her multiple times in the head with a metal chair in her Presidential Plaza apartment.

The competency issue just addresses whether Sanders is able to understand the proceedings and assist in his defense now, not his mental state at the time of the crime.

State Supreme Court Justice John Brunetti adjourned the case to Sept. 24 for a report on whether either the prosecution or defense wants a hearing to challenge the finding.